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Objective:To evaluate the intestinal function in rats with exertional heat stroke (EHS) and explore the protective role of Ruifuping pectin (RFP) against heat related intestinal mucosal injury.Methods:One hundred and twenty healthy special pathogen free (SPF) male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normothermic control group, EHS model group, hyperthermic plus drinking water group (H 2O+EHS group) and hyperthermic plus pectin group (RFP+EHS group) with 30 rats in each group. The rats in the H 2O+EHS group and RFP+EHS group were given water 20 mL/kg or RFP 20 mL/kg orally for 5 days during adaptive training period. After 1 week, the temperature control range was adjusted to (37±1)℃ using the temperature control treadmill, and the rat model of EHS was reproduced by one-time high temperature exhaustive exercise. No rehydration intervention was given during the training adaptation period in the EHS model group. The rats in the normothermic control group were maintained to room temperature (25±2)℃ and humidity (55±5)% without other treatment. Behavior tests including withdraw response, righting, and muscle strength were performed immediately after onset of EHS. Blood of inferior vena cava was collected, and the serum inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10)] and activity of diamine oxidase (DAO) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The intestinal mucosa was collected, after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and Chiu score was performed to assess EHS induced pathological changes under light microscope. Results:The rats in the EHS model group had behavioral, inflammatory and pathological changes, such as delayed withdraw response and righting, decreased forelimb pulling, increased inflammatory index, and obvious intestinal mucosal injury, which indicated that the reproduction of the EHS model was successful. There was no significant difference in above parameters between the H 2O+EHS group and the EHS model group except that the inflammatory index in the RFP+EHS group was improved. Compared with the EHS model group, the withdraw reflex to pain and righting after RFP pretreatment in the RFP+EHS group were significantly improved (righting score: 1.4±0.2 vs. 0.3±0.2, withdraw reflex to pain score: 1.0±0.1 vs. 0.2±0.1, both P < 0.05), the muscle strength was significantly increased (N: 13.0±0.5 vs. 8.2±0.6, P < 0.01). The levels of pro-inflammatory factors in the RFP+EHS group were significantly lower than those in the EHS model group [TNF-α (ng/L): 67.5±9.2 vs. 194.3±13.7, IL-6 (ng/L): 360.0±54.1 vs. 981.2±84.4, IL-1β (ng/L): 33.7±9.0 vs. 88.7±6.1, all P < 0.01], while the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 was higher than that in the EHS model group (ng/L: 208.7±10.5 vs. 103.7±7.0, P < 0.01). The degree of intestinal mucosal injury in the RFP+EHS group was less severe than that in the EHS model group, and the Chiu score and DAO were significantly lower than those in the EHS model group [Chiu score: 1.5±0.2 vs. 3.8±0.0, DAO (U/L): 83.7±6.7 vs. 128.7±10.5, both P < 0.05]. Conclusions:High temperature training can damage the intestinal barrier function, and induce endotoxemia and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in rats. Oral prophylactic RFP can protect the intestinal barrier function, alleviate SIRS, and promote the recovery of basic nerve reflex and muscle strength after the occurrence of EHS in rats.
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Objective To analyze the status of misdiagnosis of exertional heat stroke (EHS), its causes and influence on prognosis. Methods The clinical data of patients with EHS in 9 military hospitals from January 2012 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the time of diagnosis (from onset to the establishment of preliminary or suspected diagnosis), the patients were divided into ≤0.5 h, 0.5-1 h, 1-3 h, 3-6 h and >6 h groups. The number of organs involved and the clinical outcome (death or survival) of patients in each group were recorded, and the relationship between delayed diagnosis and prognostic indexes was analyzed. Through the analysis of misdiagnosis-related medical records, the distribution characteristics and possible causes of misdiagnosis were found. Results Among 122 EHS patients, 23 died, with a total fatality of 18.9%. The diagnosis time showed a skewed distribution, and the median (quartile interval) was 1.5(2.63) h. The correlation analysis between the time of diagnosis and the time of initiation of cooling showed a positive correlation (r=0.871, P<0.05). The number of involved organs increased with the delay of diagnosis, and it was significantly higher in patients diagnosed more than 6 h than that in patients diagnosed in the early stage (within 0.5 h, P<0.05). The risk of death also increased significantly with the delay of diagnosis, and the fatality rate of patients diagnosed more than 6 h was significantly higher than that of patients diagnosed in the early stage (within 0.5 h, P<0.05). The composition ratio of misdiagnosis varied with time. The misdiagnosis rate within 0.5 hours of onset was 87.7%. The diagnosis was mainly based on symptomatic description (64.5%), followed by misdiagnosis as nervous system disease (24.3%). The main causes for the delay in diagnosis were the lack of typical clinical manifestations in the early stage of the disease and the lack of understanding of the disease in the on-site emergency medical personnel. Conclusions The misdiagnosis rate would be high in the early stage of EHS, and it may be significantly related to organ injury and prognosis. The main cause of misdiagnosis in the early stage of EHS might be the lack of understanding of the disease in the on-site emergency medical personnel, which suggests an urgent need to improve the EHS recognition by on-site emergency medical personnel.
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Objective: To investigate the effect of exercise in thermal climates on the renal functions and explore the role of oxidative stress injury in the pathogenesis of exertional heat stroke (EHS). Methods: Totally 187 young soldiers in the subtropical area of Southeast China were divided randomly into two groups. All subjects underwent 1.5km, 3km and 5km cross-country running under two different environmental conditions: normal temperature and normal humidity [temperature (26 ± 2) °C, humidity 50% ± 5%]; high temperature and high humidity [temperature (33 ± 2) °C, humidity 65% ± 5%], and each soldiers' blood samples were taken at pre and post running. The level of Cr, BUN, CK, CK-MB, LDH and SOD were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. The levels of serum 8-OHdG was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: 1) After exercise, the Cr and BUN of the two groups increased, compared with the pre-exercise the differences were significant (P<0.05). As the amount of exercise increase, the level of Cr and BUN will be further elevated, and compared with 1.5 km cross-country running respectively, there were significant differences in 3.0 km and 5.0 km cross-country running (P<0.05). The level of Cr and BUN were significantly higher in the high-temperature and high-humidity group than those in the normal temperature and normal humidity group (P<0.05); 2) After exercise, the CK, CK-MB and LDH of the two groups increased, compared with the pre-exercise the differences were significant (P<0.05). As the amount of exercise increase, the level of CK, CK-MB and LDH will be further elevated, and compared with 1.5 km cross-country running respectively, there were significant differences in 3.0 km and 5.0 km cross-country running (P<0.05). After 5.0 km cross-country running, the level of Cr and BUN were significantly higher in the high-temperature and high-humidity group than those in the normal temperature and normal humidity group (P<0.05); 3) After exercise, the level of 8-OHdG increased and the level of SOD decreased in the two groups, compared with the pre-exercise the differences were significant (P<0.05). As the amount of exercise increase, the level of 8-OHdG increased significantly and the level of SOD decreased significantly, and compared with 1.5 km cross-country running respectively, there were significant differences in 3.0 km and 5.0 km cross-country running (P<0.05). After 5.0 km cross-country running, the level of 8-OHdG were significantly higher and the level of SOD were significantly lower in the high-temperature and high-humidity group than those in the normal temperature and normal humidity group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Long time strenuous exercise under the condition of high temperature and high humidity can easily induce heat stress damage. The muscle and renal are vulnerable to heat stress damage. Oxidative stress injury may play an important role in heat stress damage of renal.
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Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and early sensitive indicators of severe heat stroke patients in order to predict the development of severe heat stroke in the early stage. Methods Thirty-eight patients with severe heat stroke admitted to emergency department of Beijing Daxing District People's Hospital from July 30th to August 5th in 2018 were enrolled. There were 18 patients suffered from exertional heat stroke (EHS), and 12 patients suffered from classical heat stroke (CHS), and 8 patients with heat spasm and heat exhaustion were selected as control group. The gender, age, onset time, body temperature, heart rate (HR), lactic acid (Lac), platelet (PLT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alanine aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), serum sodium at admission of hospital, as well as positive rate of myoglobin (MYO) and D-dimer (the positive threshold of MYO and D-dimer was 107 μg/L and 600 μg/L respectively) were recorded and compared among the groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to analyze the prognostic value of MYO and D-dimer on heat stroke. The outcome of all patients was followed up, and the 28-day mortality between EHS and CHS patients was compared. The patient's body temperature was measured again after 4 hours of active cooling treatment (T4 h), and the relationship between T4 h and 28-day mortality was discussed. Results The majority of severe heat stroke patients were male, especially in EHS patients. EHS patients were younger than CHS ones, and had shorter onset time, with significant differences among the groups. The body temperature and HR at admission in the EHS group and the CHS group were significantly higher than those in the control group [body temperature (℃): 41.34±0.67, 40.39±0.58 vs. 37.80±1.39; HR (bpm): 139.78±15.63, 113.08±17.70 vs. 92.00±15.89, all P < 0.05], PLT was significantly lowered (×109/L: 164.94±73.80, 165.78±53.49 vs. 249.50±84.22, both P < 0.05), and the positive rates of MYO and D-dimer were also significantly increased [MYO positive rate:100.0% (18/18), 100.0% (12/12) vs. 50.0% (4/8); D-dimer positive rate: 77.8% (14/18), 100.0% (12/12) vs. 12.5% (1/8), all P < 0.05]. ROC curve analysis showed that positive MYO and D-dimer at admission had certain diagnostic value for heat stroke, the area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.750 and 0.871, the sensitivity was 50.0% and 87.5%, and the specificity was 100% and 86.7%, respectively. The 28-day mortality of the EHS group was significantly higher than that of the CHS group [44.4% (8/18) vs. 8.3% (1/12), P < 0.05]. Furthermore, the 28-day mortality of the patients with T4 h ≥ 38 ℃ in the EHS group was significantly higher than those with T4 h < 38 ℃ [70.0% (7/10) vs. 12.5% (1/8), P < 0.05]. Conclusions The decreased PLT and the increased D-dimer in the early stage of heat stroke indicate that the damage of coagulation mechanism is prominent in patients with heat stroke. EHS patients have the characteristics of acute onset, severe condition, rapid progression and poor prognosis, and the 28-day mortality is significantly higher than that of CHS patients. MYO and D-dimer are sensitive indicators in early stage of heat stroke patients, which can be used as reference for early diagnosis of heat stroke.
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Objective To observe the relationship between different degree of cerebral edema and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) of exertional heat stroke (EHS) patients. Methods The patients with EHS admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the 159th Hospital of PLA from June 2015 to June 2017 were enrolled. The electrical impedance perturbation coefficient (EIDC) of bilateral cerebral hemispheres were monitored at 2, 24 and 72 hours after the onset of the disease by BORN-BE non-invasive dynamic cerebral edema monitor, and the patients were divided into 9+ group, 10+ group and 11+ group according to the resistance of the measured mean impedance coefficients. Fasting venous blood of the patients were acquired after 2 hours and 72 hours of the disease, the levels of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), creatinine (Cr), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were detected. The occurrence of MODS within 72 hours was recorded. Linear regression analysis of the correlation between EIDC and MODS was done. Results All 124 EHS patients were male; the age was (22.10±4.43) years. Among them, 20 in EIDC 9+ group, 61 in 10+ group, and 43 in 11+ group. There were no significant differences in the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, NO, NOS, cTnI, CK-MB, Cr, β2-MG, ALT, AST after onset of 2 hours among different EPIC groups; all the indexes of 72 hours were significantly higher than those of 2 hours in each group; and the higher the EIDC, the more obvious increase of each index [EIDC 9+ group, 10+ group, 11+ group at 72 hours IL-1β (ng/L): 12.05±3.75, 18.49±7.94, 23.21±10.44;TNF-α (ng/L): 13.10±3.18, 18.92±7.23, 23.40±10.17; NO (μmol/L): 99.50±12.10, 111.41±17.75, 120.81±15.58;NOS (kU/L): 47.95±8.33, 56.70±12.12, 63.37±12.60; cTnI (ng/L): 92.75±20.92, 107.20±18.96, 117.30±14.53;CK-MB (U/L): 73.55±9.25, 83.23±13.19, 93.49±12.25; Cr (μmol/L): 165.30±9.41, 176.62±9.83, 180.09±10.14;β2-MG (mg/L): 16.45±2.68, 19.07±3.68, 22.05±3.93; ALT (U/L): 500.10±87.05, 563.90±91.28, 612.16±90.61, AST (U/L): 414.30±53.35, 470.51±73.83, 512.09±81.29, respectively, two-two comparison all P ＜ 0.05], the higher of the MODS incidence [40.00 % (8/20), 65.57% (40/61), 83.72% (36/43), x2= 12.199, P = 0.002]. Linear regression analysis showed that the degree of cerebral edema was positively correlated with the incidence of MODS (R2= 0.905, P = 0.002). Conclusion The higher of the EIDC, the more severe of cerebral edema, the stronger of the inflammatory reaction, and the more severe damage of heart, liver, kidney and other organs in EHS patients within 72 hours.
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Heat stroke (HS) is a life-threatening illness characterized by an altered level of consciousness with an elevated core body temperature 40 ℃, which may be further classified as exertional heat stroke (EHS) or classical heat stroke (CHS) according to the etiology of the condition. In recent years, the morbidity of EHS increases year by year. The severity and clinical outcome for an EHS casualty have a strong correlation with the area under the time and temperature curve for heat exposure. The early recognition and rapid cooling body core temperature ≤38.9 ℃ within 30 minutes of EHS results in the best clinical outcome and minimize severe multiple organ dysfunction and death for patients. Cold water immersion (CWI) is considered as an optimum cooling method for the reversal of hyperthermia in EHS. Some alternative modalities have also shown acceptable cooling rate, for example, the subjects immersed in a circulated water bath controlled below 20 ℃, tarp-assisted cooling with oscillation, body cooling unit, undressed, air-conditioned room, the whole body and large vessels placed ice packs, massaging the extremities; cold intravenous saline applied to dehydrated one. It is necessary to monitor body core temperature for hypothermia and/or recurrent hyperthermia, and to provide physical care for shivering, agitation, or concerns with the potential discomfort combativeness that may occur during cooling process. In this paper, pre-hospital recognition, care, monitoring and rapid cooling treatment measures of EHS have been reviewed to provide references for early identification of EHS and scientific, reasonable and effective cooling treatment.
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Objective To investigate the effects of heat acclimatization training on the inflammatory reaction and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in patients with exertional heat stroke (EHS). Methods 600 officers and soldiers from a special team who participated in 5 km armed wild training from June to July 2017 were selected as the research object, while 30 healthy officers and men who did not participate in armed wild training during the same period were selected as normal controls. The officers and soldiers who participated in 5 km armed wild training (ambient temperature > 35 ℃, humidity > 65%, 2-3 times a week for 3 weeks) were divided into heat acclimatization group and non-acclimatization group, with 300 in each group. The heat acclimatization group first took part in the heat acclimatization training of wild or long distance running (the initial temperature was 30 ℃, gradually transferred to the hot time of 37 ℃), 2 hours each time, twice a day, and 5 days a week, for a total of 2 weeks. Venous blood was taken before and after heat acclimatization training, before armed wild training, and after the last training or EHS onset, and the contents of serum interleukin (IL-1β, IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and γ-interferon (IFN-γ) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The occurrence of EHS and MODS in EHS patients were recorded. Results There was no significant difference in serum inflammatory factors between the officers and soldiers who participated in the training and the healthy control group before heat training or cross-country training. Compared with those before heat training, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ were significantly increased in all participants of heat acclimatization training while IL-10 was significantly decreased. For those who experienced premonitory (6 cases) and mild (2 cases) heatstroke during training, they could return to normal without severe heatstroke or EHS within 10-30 minutes after being immediately put in a cool and ventilated place and given anti- heatstroke drugs and other interventions. Compared with those before wild training, the levels of inflammatory factors in the two groups of officers and soldiers also changed after wild training, but the increase or decrease of inflammatory indexes in the heat acclimatization group were significantly smaller than those in the non-acclimatization group [IL-1β (ng/L): 10.65±5.18 vs. 12.13±7.91, TNF-α (ng/L): 14.60±5.79 vs. 16.27±8.52, IFN-γ (ng/L): 13.66±5.43 vs. 15.33±8.71, IL-10 (ng/L):8.22±2.68 vs. 7.13±2.63, all P < 0.05]. During armed wild training, a total of 27 cases of EHS occurred. The incidence of EHS in the heat acclimatization group was significantly lower than that in the non-acclimatization group [2.67% (8/300) vs. 6.33% (19/300), χ2= 4.693, P = 0.030]. In patients with EHS, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ after wild training in the heat acclimatization group were also significantly lower than those in the non-acclimatization group, and IL-10 was significantly higher [IL-1β (ng/L): 34.50±3.74 vs. 39.53±4.51, TNF-α (ng/L): 43.75±2.87 vs. 46.79±2.66, IFN-γ (ng/L): 40.25±1.75 vs. 46.58±1.92, IL-10 (ng/L): 7.50±2.45 vs. 5.42±1.80, all P < 0.01], and the incidence of MODS and organ involvement of EHS patients in the heat acclimation group were significantly lower than that in the non-acclimatization group [50.00% (4/8) vs. 89.47% (17/19), χ2= 5.075, P = 0.024; 28.13% (9/32) vs. 47.79% (65/136), χ2=4.066, P=0.044]. Conclusion Heat acclimatization training before high strength training in high temperature and humidity environment can effectively reduce the degree of inflammation reaction of EHS, protect the physiological functions of EHS organs, and reduce the incidence of MODS.
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Objective To investigate the protective effect of mild hypothermia at different starting times on the physiological functions of the viscera of exertional heat stroke (EHS). Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. EHS patients admitted to intensive care unit of the 159th Hospital of People's Liberation Army and the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2015 to June 2017 were enrolled. The patients were divided into 2, 4, 6 hours start hypothermia treatment groups according to the random number table method, the mild hypothermia was initiated at 2, 4 and 6 hours after the disease onset respectively, and the methods were the same in each group. After treatment of 2, 12, 24 hours, the venous blood in the three groups was collected to detect serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) with chemiluminescence method, MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) with immunosuppressive method, creatinine (Cr) with creatine oxidase method, β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) with turbidimetry, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) with enzyme method. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) within 24 hours after treatment was recorded. Linear regression analysis of the correlation between mild hypothermia start-up time and MODS was done. Results Ninety-three cases of EHS were included,with 32, 31 and 30 patients in 2, 4, 6 hours start treatment groups respectively. There were no significant differences in gender, age, core temperature, onset time to admission, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation system Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ) score at admission among the three groups. There were no significant differences in the levels of serum cTnI, CK-MB, Cr, β2-MG, ALT and AST at 2 hours after treatment. But with the prolongation of the treatment time, all indicators gradually increased. And the earlier start of the mild hypothermia, the less significant of the above indexes. All indexes in 2 hours start treatment group were significantly lower than those of 2 hours and 6 hours start treatment groups at 24 hours after treatment [cTnI (ng/L): 49.53±9.25 vs. 56.52±10.05, 64.57±11.21; CK-MB (U/L):51.47±11.83 vs. 57.87±7.43, 64.40±7.93; Cr (μmol/L): 140.97±11.33 vs. 148.16±10.39,155.57±8.65; β2-MG (mg/L): 10.28±1.46 vs. 11.58±2.13, 12.93±1.98; ALT (U/L): 248.53±75.47 vs. 341.42±129.58, 425.77±101.23;AST (U/L): 197.25±42.59 vs. 292.81±58.49, 351.20±60.41, all P < 0.05]. There was significant difference in the incidence of MODS in 2, 4, 6 hours start treatment groups [43.75% (14/32), 64.52% (20/31), 80.08% (24/30), χ2= 8.761, P = 0.013]. Linear regression analysis showed that the earlier onset time of mild hypothermia, the lower incidence of MODS (R2= 0.915, P = 0.013). Conclusion The application of mild hypothermia in 2 hours can effectively protect the physiological function of EHS organs and reduce the incidence of MODS.
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ObjectiveTo study the effect of low molecular weight heparin sodium (LMWHS) therapy for exertional heat stroke (EHS) patients with pre-disseminated intravascular coagulation (pre-DIC).Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. Thirty-six patients with EHS with pre-DIC admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of 180th Hospital of Chinese PLA from April 2012 to November 2014 were divided into heparin sodium group (n = 20) and LMWHS group (n = 16) in accordance with the random number table. All patients received bundle treatment after being admitted to the hospital, including rapid cooling, fluid resuscitation, organ support (mechanical ventilation, hemopurification if necessary), supplement of pro-coagulation factors, etc. The patients in heparin sodium group were treated with continuous heparin sodium 12 500 U throughout 24 hours with intravenous pump for 5 days, and the patients in LMWHS group were given LMWHS 2 500 U subcutaneously, twice a day for 5 days.The incidence of DIC, incidence of bleeding and mortality of two groups were compared.The platelet count (PLT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fib) and D-dimer of each patient between pre and post treatment times were compared.Results No significant difference was found in the incidence of DIC and mortality between LMWHS group and heparin sodium group (31.2% vs. 30.0%,χ2 =0.007,P = 0.936; 6.2% vs. 5.0%,χ2 = 0.026,P = 0.871). Incidence of bleeding during treatment in LMWHS group was significantly lower than that in heparin sodium group (12.5% vs. 45.0%,χ2 = 4.425,P = 0.035). After treatment,PLT in both LMWHS group and heparin sodium group was significantly increased compared with that before treatment (×109/L: 140.5±17.5 vs. 110.5±16.5, 152.6±21.5 vs. 120.0±20.0, bothP 0.05). No significant difference was found in PT and Fib between pre and post treatment in all the patients.Conclusion When LMWHS was applied in EHS patients in pre-DIC stage, it could not only prevent DIC as efficiently as heparin sodium, but also results in lower incidence of bleeding. So LMWHS is safer.
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Heat stroke is a hyperthermia-induced systemic inflammatory response which may cause multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. We report a case of exertional heat stroke with acute hepatic failure in an 11-year-old boy. He initially presented hyperthermia and unconsciousness, which occurred after heavy exercise. His neurological state improved after terminating the hyperthermia by intensive cooling therapy. However, 24 hours after the initial recovery, his neurological state deteriorated again as acute hepatic injury progressed rapidly. We applied 4 times of total plasma exchange as an immunotherapy for systemic inflammatory response syndrome and acute hepatic failure expecting it to remove endogenous inflammatory factors and hepatotoxic cytokines. Following the plasma exchange, his mental state became normal and serial laboratory findings indicated improvement. He made a complete recovery without sequelae. We experienced successful treatment regarding exertional heat stroke with acute hepatic failure using plasma exchange.
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Child , Humans , Cytokines , Fever , Heat Stroke , Hot Temperature , Immunotherapy , Liver Failure, Acute , Plasma , Plasma Exchange , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome , UnconsciousnessABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the characteristics of exertional heat stroke between the non-survival and the survival groups. METHODS: From January 1996 to December 2002, patients with exertional heat stroke who came to the emergency department of a military hospital were enrolled. Data on individual factors, atmospheric conditions, pre-hospital management, initial vital signs, laboratory findings, presence of seizure attack, and performance of intubation were reviewed retrospectively and compared between the nonsurvival and the survival groups. RESULTS: During the study period, 22 patients were diagnosed as suffering from exertional heat stroke and 5 patients died. Most of the episodes occurred during the summer days with high ambient temperature (mean 30.6+/-3.0 degrees C) and humidity (mean 75.6+/-7.7%), and 13 patients were unacclimatized recruits. The non-survival group showed a lower initial systolic blood pressure, platelet count, arterial pH, and HCO3 - level, and a higher serum creatinine, ALT, and amylase level than did the survival group (p<0.05). However there were no significant differences in individual factors, atmospheric conditions, pre-hospital management, initial pulse rate, temperature, white blood cell count, hemoglobin count, and the sodium, potassium, BUN and AST levels between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Initial systolic blood pressure, platelet count, and arterial pH, as well as HCO3 -, serum creatinine, ALT, and amylase levels seem to be important factors for the prognosis of exertional heat stroke.